probiotics caused flare up

[Mackied]

Did anyone's use of probiotics worsen their symptoms?

Thanks

[bburzycki]

Yes I have had both ok and not good experiences on probiotics. Some are known to worsen issues with some. Like soil based and ones with pre-biotics can also cause issues for some. You are not alone.

[Misspomfrey]

I've never had much bother with probiotics, mostly good outcome but it depends on whats in them. The ones you've tried might have some strains that don't suit you. Study the strains, not easy and takes time. Some of them have too many billion CFUs, you might be better on less. It's trial and error.

[xjrs]

I agree with  Misspomfrey . It depends on what ones you are taking. I had terrible trouble with one with high numbers (CFU) and lots of different strains. IBS sufferers tend to fare better on lower numbers of CFU (less than 10 billion). The one I take now called Alflorex is 1 billion CFU, with one strong strain. It has been a game changer for me.

In some people, there is also a bedding in period for a probiotic. It can take 2 weeks or more for the body to get used to them, since there can be an initial backlash as the good bugs in the probiotic start attacking the bad in the gut. Some people may experience worse symptoms during this time.

[cj20uk]

Yes, they made my symptoms worse. However I later found I had SIBO so it wasn't surprising that adding even more bacteria was having an effect on me! I know they do work for a lot of people though so it maybe that different ones would be better for you.

[Sallybt]

Hi Mackied, I took probiotics for years after discovering I had IBS they always suited me. Then 2 years ago I started to feel very unwell and discovered I had SIBO. I stopped all my supplements including probiotics. I'm on the mend now and have started to take The Bifidobacterium genus and The lactobacillus genus in very low dosage. I tried Alflorex but they didn't agree with me. Think I have to keep it simple having had SIBO although I am now feeling much better and really pleased I can take probiotics again albeit very low dosage. I still have to avoid many different types of food having had to stick to a FodMap type diet for 6 weeks and re introducing. Unfortunately I have to avoid a lot of healthy foods, fruit and veg in particular. I don't think probiotics suit everyone.

[Mackied in reply to Sallybt]

Hiya, thanks for your reply. Glad you are on the mend. I had diarrhoea for a few days with brown poo and then when I started on probiotics I got bloated, had cramps and pretty much had yellow liquid coming out of my back side (tmi, sorry). What were your symptoms after taking probiotics? I only took them for 4 days but still have the yellow diarrhoea but no cramps, thankfully. I'm like you as well; can't have much fruit or veg. What foods can you tolerate?

[Sallybt]

Hiya, I'm so sorry to hear your tummy troubles are so persistent, it really can get you down. I have suffered with similar with IBS D but generally speaking I get IBS C. I've never put it down to probiotics more diet related. Maybe leaving off the probiotics for a while, see what happens. The ones I take are Pro-ven Biotics Adult Acidophilus & Bifidus 30 Capsules from Boots or Holland & Barrett. It's so hard to put your system back on track when these flare ups happen. Bland diet, no caffeine helps and I drink homemade ginger tea throughout the day which helps me tremendously. I do hope you feel better soon.

[Mackied in reply to Sallybt]

Thanks so much for your reply. I've started taking a couple of spoonfuls of yoghurt for now. I'm freaked out by how much IBS can take over your whole life.

[Sallybt]

Yes IBS can be very debilitating, you can overcome the worse with diet and relaxation. Stress is a big factor. When first diagnosed I was doubled up with pain, couldn't eat anything. I've had IBS for 34 years. When diagnosed it was a case of get on with it from doctor (nothing much changes there) . I do take Aloe Vera juice everyday which I do think helps. Hope you get your head round it soon.

[Hidden]

I would respectfully suggest that any worsening of symptoms with a particular probiotic should be taken as a good prognostic sign, and one which should encourage one to persist with it. In my own case of IBS-C, I have had adjustment symptoms for nearly six months which started on day 1, without anything to suggest IBD or an underlying GI neoplasm. I have to say that I did have intractable severe symptoms for eight years before I started Ferrocalm, but am content to await a satisfactory resolution with this promising probiotic, and which, I would suggest, should be taken as a first choice, before trying another.

[Mackied in reply to Hidden]

I see your logic, Rob; however, I was concerned about dehydration because I was going to the loo so often. I've opted for kefir for the moment, to build myself up, so to speak, and when my gut health is better, I'll revert back to the probiotics. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Hidden in reply to Mackied]

Thanks for your response- sorry to hear about your problem. From my own experience, and an indication of how severe my own gut microbiome dysbiosis is, I tried non- pasteurised Sauerkraut which is an excellent source of probiotics, but which produced severe adjustment symptoms. You might try a teaspoonful once or twice a day and see how you get on. There is histamine in Sauerkraut to which some people, including myself, are sensitive so I resorted to a more specific probiotic. The mode of delivery past the stomach, as you know, is very important so that the probiotic is not destroyed by gastric acid. The capsule containing the probiotic, therefore, must not be opened, so if you need to reduce the amount, taking it more infrequently might reduce unpleasant side-effects.

When one takes Sauerkraut, the quantity of bacteria is huge so some still gets through despite the acidity. The manufacturer of Symprove, which is also worth a go, have gone to great lengths, according to their promotional material, to ensure that the probiotic survives and flourishes through the gastric “hurdle “, and have evidence from studies at UCL in London that their product is effective.

[Mackied]

I'll definitely try that - will buy it now. Your knowledge is extensive by the way; are you a professional in the field, or have you attained this by doing research on your own condition? I need to sort out my anxiety too as that exacerbates symptoms and gut health in general. It's very difficult to do that when you're a deep, reflective, analytical person.

[Hidden in reply to Mackied]

Mackied, I was in the medical field, but interestingly, my knowledge was greatly enhanced after retirement, when I developed IBS-C myself. I think most GP’s have varying degrees of knowledge about IBS, and, in my own case, practised for long time before knowledge of the gut microbiome became widely disseminated, had very little knowledge about the pathogenesis beyond knowing the basic limited available therapies.

There is a general misconception about IBS sufferers being anxious, and that all they need to do, is be less anxious! Nothing could be farther from the truth! IBS can vary, and at times, be a very debilitating illness which causes severe distress due the symptoms themselves. Stress is certainly a factor, but a damaged gut microbiome is a key to understanding the condition.

Do have a look a Professor John Hunter’s publication, Irritable Bowel Solutions, obtained through Amazon. You might be able to identify the type you have beyond the main classifications of mixed, diarrhoea- and constipation predominant varieties. I think that, in the final analysis, you need to find a probiotic which suits you, and, hopefully, works.

Good luck

[BabblingBrooks]

When I first started one brand I went from being prone to constipation to going more frequently than I liked which eventually settled.

A different brand had me going back to being less frequent but then resolved to a more normal habit.